8 healthy reasons to garden

Gardening is a popular pastime. But what does gardening do to your body and mind? Studies show a wealth of health benefits. Experts from the “Tool and Garden Magazine” have compiled scientific findings:

1. Cognitive stimulation: A study at the University of Seoul measured the level of nerve growth factors in the blood of test subjects before and after they worked in a vegetable patch for 20 minutes. The researchers found: Both levels were significantly increased after gardening: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is important for nerve survival, and platelet-derived growth factor. This suggests that gardening helps improve memory.
2. Stress relief: Numerous studies have linked stress reduction to gardening and other outdoor activities. For example, results from a Dutch study show that time spent in the garden lowers cortisol levels, restoring positive mood.
3. Nutrition: Eating five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables per day significantly helps reduce the risk of disease. But how do you get children to choose apples instead of fast food? A team led by Dong D. Wang from Harvard Medical School shows that gardening activities in schools have a positive effect on children’s nutrition and promote the consumption of vegetables.
4. Better mood: From physical activity to fresh air to beautiful smells and calming sights, gardening provides a mix of activities and sensations that can improve mood and reduce anxiety. With a meta-analysis, Japanese researchers show that gardening reduces the severity of negative mood, anxiety and stress.
5. Immune system: When gardening on sunny days, our skin produces vitamin D, an important substance for maintaining a healthy immune system. But sunlight can also directly help fight infections. According to a US study published in Scientific Reports, sun exposure increases the movement of T cells, our body’s defense cells.
6. Physical activity: Bending, lifting, digging and pulling all promote strength, balance and flexibility. A study of seniors in Korea found that gardening provided as much exercise as other moderate-intensity physical activities. This leads to better physical fitness. A study from Taiwan published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity also shows that practicing gardening can reduce the likelihood of falls in older people over 65 years old.
7. Attention and concentration: Watching plants develop requires patience and attention. Positive effects occur particularly when the plants develop well in a natural environment.
8. Positive body image: Gardening leads to a greater appreciation of your own body and its functions. According to a British study published in the journal Ecopsychology in 2020, time spent gardening leads to improved body satisfaction. Gardeners therefore have a significantly more positive body image than non-gardeners.

Garden choice: this is how it continues now

The application deadline is over, a jury around OÖN organic gardeners Karl Ploberger has selected the winners who will compete in a Closing event on Tuesday, October 17th will be announced in the Promenade Galleries in Linz. Vouchers from Biohort and Seca are waiting for you. The winner of the garden election can also look forward to a visit from the “Organic Gardener of the Nation”. All pictures the OÖN garden election remains online. OÖN readers can go to nachrichten.at/gartenwahl continue to look “over the garden fences” of Upper Austria’s most beautiful gardens.

info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.

info
By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.

info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.

Add the topic to your topics.